WaterVerge

Is Lisle, IL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

24K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IL0430551
Overall Score
87.4 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#270 of 891 in Illinois Top 26% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
87.4/100
waterverge.com
A- 87.4/100

Lisle, IL — Water Quality Report

Lisle's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 24,233 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. PFAS testing under UCMR 5 found no detectable forever chemicals.

The system has 8 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Lisle's water

Lisle ranks #270 out of 891 cities in Illinois for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.24 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
87.4 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.4/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
19/20
A
No PFAS compounds detected.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Lisle, IL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Lisle's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 24,233 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

4
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
None
PFAS Detected
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Lisle

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lisle's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87.4/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4116). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3230). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Lisle's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Lisle's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2012 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Aug 2011 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jun 2006 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

DuPage County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Salt Creek, Sawmill Creek, Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal Nr Lemont, Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal.

SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4116
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3230
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-798

Where does Lisle's water come from?

Lisle's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 24,233 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Salt Creek (river), Sawmill Creek (river), Des Plaines River (river), Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal Nr Lemont (river), Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal (river).

What Lisle residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Lisle's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Lisle's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
11.1 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 19% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 10.1 µg/LHAA9: 19.9 µg/L
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.24 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 2% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Detected
126.9 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 8% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
1,4-Dioxane
Organic
Detected
0.07 µg/L
EPA Health Advisory: 0.35 µg/L · 20% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Vanadium
Inorganic
Detected
0.40 µg/L
EPA Short-term HA: 21 µg/L · 2% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Chlorate
Disinfection Byproduct
Detected
28.0 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 210 µg/L · 13% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Molybdenum
Inorganic
Detected
1.10 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 40 µg/L · 3% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
PFAS Testing

Forever chemicals overview

National PFAS report →
30
Compounds tested
0
Detected
0
Exceed EPA MCL
Compliance Record

Violation summary

8
Total violations
2
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
4 Active
2 Health-based
4 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
3
Total Coliform Rule
3
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2011 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 2011
Jun 2006 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2006
Feb 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 1992
Jun 1977 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1981
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Lisle

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Lisle, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 29 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
FIC AMERICA
Transportation Equipment · FUTABA NORTH AMERICA ENGINEERING & MARKETING CO
BLOOMINGDALE, IL60108
Manganese109.8 mi
FIC AMERICA
Transportation Equipment · FUTABA NORTH AMERICA ENGINEERING & MARKETING CO
CAROL STREAM, IL60188
Manganese109.5 mi
K.A. STEEL CHEMICALS INC. D/B/A OLIN CHLOR ALKALI PRODUCTS &
Chemicals · OLIN CORP
LEMONT, IL60439
Chlorine89.4 mi
ARROW GEAR
Machinery · PRECISION ARROW GEAR GROUP LLC
DOWNERS GROVE, IL60515
Lead12.4 mi
VEOLIA WATER TECHNOLOGIES & SOLUTIONS INC. - ADDISON
Chemicals · VEOLIA WATER TECHNOLOGIES TREATMENT SOLUTIONS USA INC
ADDISON, IL60101
9.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Lisle

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
May 2013
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

DuPage County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

May 2013
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4116
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3230
Aug 1987
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #798
Jun 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #438
Sep 1972
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #351

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
11Cl-PF3OUdS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
4:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
6:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
8:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
ADONA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
HFPO-DA ND 0.01 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
lithium ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NEtFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NFDHA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NMeFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDoA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFEESA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMPA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFNA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOA ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOS ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTrDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFUnA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 7.0 ppb from 1992 (7.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
24,233
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Lisle's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Lisle's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 24,233 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Lisle

Lisle is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Salt Creek
river
Sawmill Creek
river
Des Plaines River
river
Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal Nr Lemont
river
Chicago Sanitary And Ship Canal
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Lisle

System Name PWSID Population Source
LISLE IL0430551 24,233 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Lisle compares

Full Illinois rankings →

Lisle's score of 87.4/100 is above the average of 56/100 among major Illinois cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Lisle (this city)
87.4
Chicago
35.2
Aurora
45.5
Joliet
38.5
Naperville
81.2
Champaign
91.9
Illinois avg
56
City Profile

About Lisle, IL

Wikipedia →

Lisle is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Lisle had a population of 24,223. It is a south-western suburb of Chicago in the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor. It is also the headquarters of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region III.

Economic Profile
$106,265
Median Income
$402,324
Median Home Value
$1,485/mo
Median Rent
5.1%
Unemployment
Community
36.7
Median Age
1,317
People / sq mi
63%
College Educated
56.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Lisle, IL tap water safe to drink?

Lisle's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #270 out of 891 cities tested in Illinois.

What contaminants are in Lisle's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). No PFAS compounds were detected. 8 violations are on record.

How is Lisle's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Lisle?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Lisle's water come from?

Lisle's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 24,233 residents.

What health violations has Lisle's water system had?

Lisle has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.

How does Lisle's water compare to other cities?

Lisle ranks #270 out of 891 cities in Illinois (better than 70% of state cities) and #4048 out of 15744 cities nationally (74th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.